Human Factors in Product Design: The secret to good design
at UX, Human Factors & Ergonomics
Type
talk
UK professional body for ergonomics and human factors, the discipline framing this product-design talk. International HF/E society with research and practice resources on designing for human performance. Institutional home for the HF&E speakers at this evening event. Human factors treats products as socio-technical systems, not isolated interfaces.
People
Dr Eddy Elton
Methods
Interaction DesignDesigning how people act with a product over time: controls, states, feedback, flows and micro-interactions. Turns goals and constraints into concrete behaviours that feel clear and forgiving, informed by perception, cognition and the physical or digital context of use.
Usability TestingUsability testing reveals where people struggle while attempting realistic tasks with a prototype or service. In a moderated session, a researcher observes the participant and may ask them to explain their thinking. Use it to investigate confusing language, layouts or interactions and identify improvements. Agree research questions, recruit likely users and prepare believable tasks that do not reveal the solution. Explain that the service is being tested, then mostly watch and listen rather than guiding participants. Record observations and follow up on unclear behaviour. Plan accessible sessions, including participants’ own assistive technology when appropriate.